Best budget holidays in India

Uttarakhand

Off-season: November to January 

Make snow angels in the alpine slopes of Chopta, popularly known as India’s ‘mini Switzerland’. Here you can embark on the Chopta-Tungnath snow trek to the highest Shiva temple in the country. It’s only 4km long, and perfect for beginners — but no one needs to know that. This is also a good time to spot hog deer and raptors at the Dhikala and Bijrani safari zones in Jim Corbett National Park, which are shut during the rains.

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Goa

Off-season: May to August 

Avoid the Sunburn crowds and double-priced everything, and you’ll find your favourite beaches relatively crowd-free. Head to Mhadei River and battle the rapids — white water rafting in Goa (Goarafting.com) can only be experienced during the rains — or make a trip to the fully-grown Dudhsagar falls. Nature nerds, plan to visit Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary or go to the Sahakari Spice Farm in Ponda to witness the feni-brewing process, and end your day being sprayed by an elephant.

You may also want to read: Plan the perfect road trip

The country's top holiday spots tend to lose a little glory during their peak months. Dodge the madding crowd and steep prices, and plan a quieter, smarter off-season vacation instead. Here's how: 

Kerala

Off-season: March to June

Just before the Southwest monsoons break in, prices drop drastically and temperatures soar to an unforgiving 40 degrees. Stock up on sunscreen for Muzhappilangad Beach in Kannur, the only drive-in beach in Kerala and the largest in Asia. Drive along the 5km stretch with the wind in your hair and sand under your wheels (or just use air conditioning). Alternatively, escape to Kerala’s more hospitable altitudes — the rolling tea plantations of Munnar, the less-frequented Athirapally (featured in Mani Ratnam classics like Roja and Dil Se) or the new eco-tourism destination, Gavi.   

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Rajasthan

Off-season: April to July

The generous summer discounts can help you (finally) sneak in a palace stay. Southern Rajasthan is generally a few degrees cooler than the inland cities of Pushkar and Jaisalmer, so settle in the heritage town of Bundi, where you can visit Rudyard Kipling’s former abode, study late-18th-century Mughal art at Chitra Shala, and dodge the sun by going underground to the Raniji Ki Baori stepwell. Option two: Escape to Mount Abu, the summer retreat of the British Raj, and explore the magnificent Dilwara Jain temples, paddle in Nakki lake, and be wheel-barrowed by locals to the magical sunset point. 

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